The lyrics came from a poem Axl Rose was working on. He wrote the song about his girlfriend, Erin Everly, who is the daughter of Don Everly of the Everly Brothers. They married in 1990 but divorced a month later.

Appetite For Destruction was Guns N' Roses first album, and it took a while for the band to catch on. This didn't hit US #1 until a year after the album was released. It was the third single, following "It's So Easy" and "Welcome To The Jungle," which both flopped, although "Welcome To The Jungle" became a hit when it was re-released in the wake of "Sweet Child"'s success.

Slash came up with the riff when he was playing around on his guitar. He thought it was silly and wanted nothing to do with it, but Axl loved it and had him keep playing it. Izzy Stradlin added some chords, and the song came together. According to Duff McKagan's 2012 autobiography, Slash always considered it the worst Guns N' Roses song.

Slash told Rolling Stone magazine: "It's a combination of influences. From Jeff Beck, Cream and Zeppelin to stuff you'd be surprised at: the solos in Manfred Mann's version of 'Blinded By The Light' and Gerry Rafferty's 'Baker Street.'" (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

Axl listened to a bunch of Lynyrd Skynyrd songs before recording his vocal. He liked their down-home, genuine sound and wanted to duplicate it on this track.

This won Best Single, Heavy Metal/Hard Rock at the 1989 American Music Awards. The group performed "Patience" at the show with Don Henley sitting in for Steven Alder (who was sick) on drums.

In 1989, this won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Heavy Metal Video.

A third verse Axl wrote was edited out because the record company thought it made the song too long.

The song hit #1 in America on September 10, 1988, and stayed there for two weeks. While it was climbing to the top spot, Guns N' Roses was touring as the opening act for Aerosmith. By the end of the tour on September 15, G N' R had eclipsed their headliners in popularity and were chosen for the cover of Rolling Stone for their November 17 issue.

The tour went very well thanks to a ground rule Aerosmith set up: no drugs in their presence. The now-rehabbed Aerosmith could see Guns' N' Roses heading down the same path of addiction, but made no effort to preach to them about the dangers, as they knew the Gunners would have to make their own mistakes. Aerosmith did, however, give T-shirts to the band listing the rehab centers they had been through instead of tour dates, which they felt was their statement.

In the video, a few moments before Slash's solo takes off, Axl can be seen taking off his jacket. Axl had so many bracelets on his arms, he had trouble getting his jacket off, which made them do a number of retakes. Axl stated in a 2006 radio interview with Eddie Trunk that, "the video they wanted to do for the song was supposed to be of an Asian woman carrying a baby into the United States. At the end of the video, the baby is cut open and there is heroin inside because that's what the song is about." (thanks, Jacob - Stockholm, Sweden)

This was remixed and re-released in England in May, 1989, where it went to #6. When first released in Aug, 1988, it was UK #24.

Sheryl Crow covered this in 1999 for the movie Big Daddy, scoring a #30 hit in England. Her version appears near the middle of the movie right after they take the kid away; the Guns 'N' Roses original is played at the end with the credits. (thanks, shelby - Westfield, IN)

The guitar solo is ranked #37 in Guitar World magazine reader's poll for the top 100 greatest guitar solos of all time (Slash's "November Rain" solo ranks #6). (thanks, elliot - Toronto, Canada)

In an interview with Uncut magazine February 2008 Slash was asked where the weirdest place that he'd heard one of his songs was. He replied: "I've heard 'Paradise City' and 'Patience' in some odd places, but the weirdest thing is hearing Muzak versions of 'Sweet Child O' Mine' in elevators and shopping malls. I've even heard an arrangement of it for harp. Recently I was in a hotel and the lounge pianist was playing it. I get a mixture of emotions when that happens. Part of it is 'hey wow, that's our tune!,' part of it's embarrassment at even noticing it, part of it's bewilderment of somebody else playing your music, someone who knows nothing about you, who has never met you, who is just playing your music as part of a thousand pieces of material that they have to play. Imagine how, say, Paul McCartney must feel, hearing his music absolutely everywhere."

In 2008, the Recording Industry Association of America declared Appetite for Destruction the best selling debut album in the US with 18 million copies sold. The previous record holder was Boston.

This song featured near the end of the 2008 movie The Wrestler, when Mickey Rourke's character makes his entrance into the ring. Axl Rose, who is friends with Rourke, allowed the low-budget film to use the song for almost nothing, something Rourke thanked Axl for at the Golden Globe awards when he won for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama.

In 2009 a mellow jazz version by Taken By Trees, aka the Swedish singer Victoria Bergsman, reached the UK Top 40 thanks to its use in TV commercials for department store John Lewis.

The single version is about a minute shorter. The intro is cut down and the second solo, after the second verse, is removed. (thanks, Tom - Trowbridge, England)

The song revealed a sensitive side that Rose hadn't shown before and has done so sporadically since: "A lot of rock bands are too wimpy to have any sentiment or any emotion in any of their stuff unless they are in pain," said Rose at the time. "Sweet Child O' Mine is the first positive love song I've ever written, but I never had anyone to write anything about before."

This is the most covered song that Slash has ever written. He told UK's Metro newspaper: "There are some really good instrumental versions for the piano or violin, but I've been horrified by some muzak versions. I've been sitting in a doctor's office thinking, 'That sounds familiar,' and then realizing it's someone's interpretation of what I've written. That can be a creepy feeling."

Speaking with the radio station WEBN in Cincinnati, Ohio, Slash admitted that he isn't fond of this song apart from its riff. He explained: "You know, Guns 'N' Roses was always a real hardcore, sort of, AC/DC kind of hard rock band with a lot of attitude. If we did any kind of ballads, it was bluesy. This was an uptempo ballad. That's one of the gayest things you can write. But at the same time, it's a great song — I'm not knocking it — but at the time, it just did not fit in with the rest of our, sot of, schtick. And, of course, it would be the biggest hit we ever had."

Comments: 136

The intro you can watch and hear in the video version of the live albums, is the heaviest art expression i have seen in a rock concert. I dont know how they left it out from the cds. The same intro in the paris concert, and I guess other GNR concerts at the time. Raw, stone cold big ballsy vulnerability, spontaneous, visceral, painful and brilliant all mixed together, to the tune of the orgasmic-alien-sounds slash rips off this abused guitar, pinned against the amp.Dionisio - San Jose, Costa Rica

This song, in my opinion, pancakes and syrup.Daniel - New Milford, Nj

The child is the sign of our own personality. where our souls begin . If forgotten review your self.Kimberly - Landing, Nj

the child is the smile. the natural . the wisdom of knowledge comes.Kimberly - Landing, Nj

April, yes where do we go from here?

We go in the direction of our soul, to learn along the way.Kimberly - Landing, Nj

Emmett: It wasn't somebody, it was Axl himself. He started muttering, "Where do we go? Where do we go NOW?" and Mike Clink suggested using that.April - Birmingham, Al

There are some fabulous guitar solos; hard to pick the best but this one definitely is way, way up there as best intro to a song guitar solo. It is exciting to hear it, you think, "Oh, this is what I've been waiting for!"Camille - Toronto, Oh

Great band for the era they were playing in. Nobody had that sound and energy. May not have changed the course of music but definitely made a mark on it.Gus - Fort Smith, Ar

LOVE it im actually hearing this song on my Teacher's computer rite now its her fav band and song i love this band as well its a good song to listen to when skool is almost over it makes me Happy when im feeling badKathy - Mission, Tx

Slash is heavily overrated, but this solo's good, among a few others. Besides that his solos and riffs all sound the same. Axl is brilliant though, he's a very talented vocalist.Chuckles - Toronto, On

Love love love this song. Slash is next to none in my book- what a great band.Kim - Wadsworth , Oh

greg u say this band is over rated and that slash isnt a good guitar play. yea i'd admit that he doesnt have this insane guitar solos like megadeath or iron madain but it has a very nice sound to it. it may not be some insane plucking but it goes with teh song perfectlyLuke - Saint Augustine, Fl

guns n roses is ridiculously overrated...axle has a good voice but slash is definetly not as talented as many other guitar players that arent as popular.such as randy rhoads.zakk wylde.jimmy page.Greg - Slidell, La

To Monica in mexico, the "Where do we go part" came from when they recorded the song in the studio, they got to that part and just kept repeating the song over and over trying to figure out what to write. finally somebody just kinda started mumbling "Where do we go know, where do we go?" then everybody just kinda started chanting it and so they put it in the song. for those who don't believe, check it out in slash's autobiography.Emmett - Canadian, Tx

still wondering at the end - 'where do we go' - whether they are in a relationship, or if he is unsure if they should/can be?anyway LOVE THIS SONG!!guns n roses rockMonica - Mexico, Mexico

this song was on big daddy and step brothersJoey - Louisville, Ky

i agree with josh...this song can never be recreated...and yes i wish slash was still in gnr cuz chinese democracy is real dumb.Bill - Waco, Tx

gotta be one of the greatest guitar solosgoing , being 62 yrs old I've heard a bunchNiles - Belpre, Oh

Sorry....strange, weird.John - Sao Paulo, Brazil

It is amazing but.......I never heard this song!!! Isn´t that strage?John-BrazilJohn - Sao Paulo, Brazil

Slash is the best rock guitarist in the buisness. Sheryl Crow version sucks.Steven - Shepparton, Australia

One of the greatest songs ever written, along with Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin), Freebird (Lynyrd Skynyrd), Heaven and Hell (Black Sabbath), and Chop Suey (System of a Down).Ralph - Houston, Tx

This is GNR best song and i love the guitar solo but iv'e gotta say whats on everyones mind- Damn you Sheryl Crow, why did you ruin Sweet Child O' MineJosh - Indianapolis, In

I love this song. The guitar solo is amazing.Madeleine - Caerdydd, United Kingdom

Now who can play this on guitar I saw a band perform this at butlins bognor the whole song correctly They got an incredible standing ovation Not many bands can play it and why didn't it get to number 1 it should have done and the 3rd solo after the 3rd chorus is the greatest of all time and its very hardJesus Of Suburbia - Frinton On Sea, Al

Awesome. Slash is my idol.Ethan - Syracuse, Ny

I love this song soooooo much. I have the intro as a ringtone on my phone. Unfortunately, from what I've heard, Axl and Slash hated this song. You'd think they would love it since it's one of the most beautiful rock songs ever.Phoenix - Jacksonville, Fl

awesome song !!! my all time favourite . great lyrics ,n superb guitar solo by Slash he ROCKS !!! & so do GN'RAxl1987 - Mumbai, India

Just for the record Axl Rose HATED this song. During a concert he came out and was like "GD those effin' managers. Those mother-effing dicks are gonna make us sing this s**tty song. Well... here it is". And he just kinda went into it.Melissa - Lorton, Va

Mother's Milk was released in '89 two years after Apetite you tool bagTyler - Dayton, Oh

That song is so freaking sweet I love the solo slash is my idiol. I wish I could play like himJerry - Westminster,

This is one of my favorite songs ever. It has amazing guitar parts (Slash owns everybody) and great lyrics.Jake - Columbia City, In

Guns N Roses is my favourite band. I dont think Ill ever find a band I like as much as them. Every time I put this song on I wanna just keep carrying on now matter how rough things get, ALSO if your a GNR fan theres a cd kicking around hardly anyones heard of by them. Its called UNWANTED ILLUSIONS and its a bunch of songs that were scrapped from the use your illusion recordings. I was lucky to snag a copy of ebay. EXPENSIVE THOUGH!. some might not like it but if your a hardcord fan you should try to get it. AXLS BLUES IS REALLY FUNNYBrian - Vancouver, Canada

"She's got eyes of the bluest skies, as if they thought of rain....I'd hate to look into those eyes, and see an ounce of pain!" - Great lyrics, and classic guitar riffs make this one of GNR's best songs ever recorded.Michael - San Diego, Ca

As raw and unabashed as they were, Axl Rose and his mates knew how to craft intricate and polished rock songs. The band's sound was no happy accident, and this song more than any other reveals the band at its peak collectively and individually. Never has Rose revealed his versatility as a singer more completely than through the calm verses and more fierce chorus sections of the tune. It's a tour de force of rock guitar buoyed by an unexpected lyrical sweetness.Bertrand - Paris, France

This post is directed at Ash from Charleston, WV. I've lived in NYC and Los Angeles my entire life and you have just confirmed everthing that people from L.A. and NYC think about people from WV. How can you possibly say that a band that was the biggest band in the world for 4 years, had a number one song, and THE BIGGEST SELLING DEBUT ALBUM IN THE HISTORY OF RECORDED MUSIC sucks? Are you kidding me?Peter - Nyc, Ny

This song was in Guitar Hero 2 and is Tom Glavine's theme when walking to the mound. What a great song.James - Williston Park, Ny

this song came in at number 7 on vh1 top 1oo songs from the eighties.Jay - West Conshohocken, Pa

Even if a little Creedence/aerosmith/zeppelin sounding, axl sounds awesome on this songEcho - Normalville, Ma

The bassline is great. And so's the guitar riff. And the solo. (well when is slash NOT great?)Echo - Normalville, Ma

you can tell it's a good song because of the 3 pages of praise.

man i love this songZac - Sydney, Australia

all you mf-ers out there who think this song sucks and for the one posted htat says gnr suck well you go f**k your mom why SLASH is the best guitarist ever and axl on lyrics is just icing on the cake baby. the first time i heard this song was on mtv and as soon as it went all I down loaded every song gnr ever made and the are the best band ever!!!!!! GNR fan forever!!!!!!!!Joe - Panama City, Fl

this may be the greatest rock song of all time! from the word to the music its perfect. slash may be the coolest mf-er of all time. he makes me want to start smokin.lolJoseph - Canton, Ga

Slash oringinally wrote the intro as a finger excersise, but when the other guitarist added the chords and Axl wrote the lyrics they made it into a whole song.Larry - Knoxville, Tn

this song is the best song in the world..Izzy Stradin has the best guitar solo ever...you rock know what anyone says..and you will always be the best...so don't let anyone tell you different...<3

* New York *Brittany - Oxford, Ny

I love the guitar in this song.Nicole - Kenosha, Wi

I love this song, and it is not too slow! not every song has to be really fast and loud, thats not what rock is about. Rock is about pairing great meaningful lyrics with a good beat. This song did a great job with it, i LOVE IT!!!!!!Danielle - New York City, Ny

slash's real name is sal hudson and he hated this song he was just fooling around with his guitar and he thinks it is to slow.Copperhed - Jupiter, Fl

Best frikkin solo ever. The intro is cool too. those who say its not fast enough/technical enuff..shove it up yur a**....this song rules.Kshitij - Leeds, England

I love how precise and pure Slash's tone is on this one. It's a really intense, concentrated guitar sound that just sounds perfect.Kristina - Albuquerque, Nm

This is the best song ever. It shows why Guns n' Roses were so prominent: they were one of the few bands in the 80's metal scene that were able to show their vulnerable side.Jonathan - Philadelphia, Pa

i might be young but this song(as well as all tho other good GNR songs) changed my life i mean before i found rock i was an all A student and now i bearly make B's and i wouldnt change a thing in mt life i love GNR so much i listen to them every night! i blare this song so loud it wakes my of my family and they get pissed at me but i would change it any other way. i love them and i wish that they were still together (well with slah not buckethead) i would follown them all around the world! well i hope this song and GNR changed your life as it did mine.Jake - Little Rock, Ar

I was 17, last year at High School. 'Where do we go?" indeed ! This came on the TV, live from the MTV music awards in Madison Squ Gardens (NY?) if my memory serves me correctly. I saw it, and flipped out !! This is what it's all about I thought !! I Went out the next day, bought the 'record' (you know, before CD's) with the soon to be banned 'rape scene' cover and played the hell out of it !! Life was never the same again. Gn' R tatts and barely being able to stay on the 'right side' of society's rules would follow. As I've said now for 1/2 of my life, if I can play this solo as well as Slash before I die, I'll die happy !!! That's my aim, ROCK ON y'all .......Andy - Adelaide, Australia

Okay, Ash, as much as I respect you for not just going along with everyone else... Are you out of your mind?!? Sweet Child O Mine is an amazing song (my favourite actually). Personally, I like the sound of Axl's voice, and however much of an a**hole he is, that doesn't colou7r my opinion of his music. Also, I gotta agree with the majority for once in my life and say that Slash is possibly the best guitarist in the rock industry... since Jimmy Page anyway. BTW, Guns N Roses are on tour in the UK this summer- if Axl can get his head out from up his own backside- and I'm going to see them at Wembley Arena! Oh yes!Gemma - Lakenheath, England

ash, are you out of your mind. Guns n Roses, Motley Crue, and Poison kick a**. Red Hot Chilli Peppers are ok, but Guns n Roses are way better. Just about all hair metal ROCKSCanaan - Pleasant Shade, Tn

This is without question the greatest guitar riff in the universe. How Slash can say he hated it at first coz he was only joking around does not make any sense. Its like Michelangelo saying painting the Sistine Chapel I was just doodling.Merky - Stirling, Scotland

No the song "You Could Be Mine" was from Terminator two.Sidic - Penticton, Canada

Why does Axl Rose sound like Kate Smith? Were they separated at birth?Jay - Atlanta, Ga

Gary from hamilton autralia: although angus and malcolm young from acdc are very good guitarists,then prefer to play harder faster and flashier solos. Slash plays slower, more laid back and very melodic solos. all depends on what you like better.Spencer - Mcbride, Canada

go slash!!!!!!best guitarist ever in my opinion.my mate who likes dimebag darrel (half of you will say "who?" and the rest will say "what a loser for liking dime") thinks that this song started as a joke and it kindof did for slash and i can see why cos it wouldnt be too out of place in a gameboy game but i think that has nothing to do with cool lightsabre battles and bombad generals okee day bye no yes byeZen - Kings Langley, England

Gr8 song!, One of GnR's best. But I prefer November rain....Xavier - Pune, India

Vicki in Canada - It was really cool! They were really nice, however the first night I met them, we thought Gilby was a homeless guy who had wandered into the hotel. Slash was sitting at the bar with his tophat in front of him and as a joke, because I didn't know who he was at first, I asked him to put it on. As soon as he put it on, I knew who he was. A couple of months later, Snakepit had a CD signing at Media Play downtown in Denver. I went and Slash could not remember meeting me in Memphis. So much for my 15 minutes of fame!Melanie - Denver, Co

Axl is being sued by Slash. The guy in the top hat and Duff both accuse him of "changing the publisher of the group's copyrighted songs without their consent and pocketing the royalties" according to Total Guitar magazine. In other words, he sold the publishing rights of all the G N'R tracks (without his bandmates permission).Syd - Athens, Greece

So this is what booze and drugs can do...Cool!Syd - Athens, Greece

Slash's top hat is like just all that jazz to the extreme and axel rose was just amazing. Is it true he's being sued though?Carolyn - Newcastle, England

Guns n Roses are the best band ever. Axl Rose is my hero. I wish they didn't break up. They are the best!Kurt - Millmerran, Australia

Now I know I often talk about songs being the greatest song of all time. If you look around,you may even find some of my comments like those. However,no song even compares to "Sweet Child O'Mine." It is an amazing song. The lyrics are great,the guitar playing is great,Axl's voice is amazing. Everything about it is perfect. Now,I have listened to a lot of songs in my lifetime. I would have to say this song has the greatest solo ever.That is no exaggration. i was reading some comments. I don't see how a person could dislike Guns N Roses. This song is just so amazing. I really just cannot think of words to describe it.Becca - Hamilton, Canada

Milizee (?) in Australia: why would you think, after I dissed Motley Crue, that I like Poison. Those two bands were one and the same in every conceivable way. And I understand why a lot of people love GNR. A lot of people think George Bush is a good president. A lot of people still, STILL, worship Michael frickin' Jackson. A lot of people think stock car races are fun to watch. A lot of people are complete dullards.Ash - Charleston, Wv

it really reminds of my past,of friends...The guitar solo is just AWESOME...I feel so sorry that the band's fallen apart (i mean SLASH left---no more good solos for GNR...)But no doubt they still rocked.Charbel - Sydney

i agree SLASH IS GODMatt - Newport, Wales

GUNS N' ROSES ROCK.. they are, without a doubt, the best band in history.. then of course you have Zeppelin, the Stones etc etc.. And wow, Melanie in Denver.. wow..lol.. That would rock so hard.. Partying with Slash.. Awesome.. very very awesomeVicki - Miramichi, Canada

can anyone else hear the simalarities between the "where do we go" part of this song from the song in chalrie and the chocolate factory where the girl eats the bad gum.Anthony - Dalles, Tx

slash used the guitar lick on sweet child to warm up his fingers and thought it was crazy that the song went to number 1Dejaye - Wagga, Australia

Jesus Ash, what went wrong mate!? Motley Crue are older than Gunners, and still not a tenth of the band that GNR were! Axl & Slash are two musical geniuses, both in their own right. As for RHCP, they aren't even the same style music, uncomparable! You're f***** crazy! I bet you really dug Poison didn't ya! LOL. And Marlow, c'mon, Glam? Okay they dressed a little "glammy", but that was the style at the time. They were bloody rockers! Actually, the epitome of rockers. Anyone recall Slash & Duff @ AMA awards? LOL. Or the riot in St. Louis? The daily bottle of Jacks? Axl's teleprompter!!! They are one of the few bands who actually lived the life they sang about - the rock life. Big-up your chests fellas!Milezee - Perth, Australia

i absolutely love guns n roses...they are an awesome bandand if it werent for my mum ttelling me to get one of their songs for her (like 7 yrs ago) i wouldnt even know who they were....LUV THEM HEAPS!!! awesome guitar solo in this song!Kaitlyn - Melbourne, Australia

RHCP and GnR are both incredible bands. You can't compare them tho, they are just completely different styles of rock. btw I also heard that Frusciante of the Chili Peppers had something to do with the song.E - Vancouver, Canada

This is my favorite solo of all time(not the best) but my favorite. The switch to wah is amazing as is the spanish/acoustic like part before it with beautiful pulloff slides, perfect bends and hammer ons. The raking and pulloffs during the wah just add to the solo so much. the intro riff is amazing not because really the way it sounds but that you can not write a riff like it with sounding exactly the same(trust me ive tried). The riff during the last chorus before the main solo is just amazing .DxA BxC D imean i want see somebody write something that simple and still be awesome. Anyways the song is amazing not GNR's best but amazing.Andrew - Sodus, Ny

Chili Peppers aren't that good, they're nothing compared to a full scale rock n roll band such as gnr. Their bassist is badass, that's about it.Jesse - Grand Rapids, Mi

What can i say apart from sheer brilliance.Slash is my all time hero. His solo in this song is one of his best ever. yeah, he's done better, like paradise city for example but this is still a great solo.Ash,i think you need to put on appetite for destruction and have a serious listen. it is the greatest album of all time.Axl voice is extremely different, thats what makes him such a great rock singer and what can you say about Slash, apart from, He is the god of rock guitarists!!!!!Luke - Bradford, England

Slash is a legend, when i can play like him i will be happy. The band were good while they were together. If you don't like them, you need your head examined!!!Joni - Hertfordshire, England

Sweet Child O' Mine is the greatest song of all time. First of all, Slash's guitar solo in the beginning is glorious and then you have Axl's voice to go along with it. The solo later in the song is the greatest ever along with november rains at the end. P.S slash is GodTyler - St. Paul, Mn

Easily the best GNR song ever, combining their butt-kicking with their balladeering. Cheesy guitar, but cheesy in the good GNR way, not the barfy November Rain way.Nessie - Sapporo, Japan

i have to agree with dan NJ lol..

this is definitley my fave gnr song, the riff is amazing! makes me wanna headbang till i get whiplash lol, its easily one of the best songs ever made i think, and slash is so ace i love himAmy - Leeds, England

I met Slash in Memphis back in 1995 when Snakepit was touring. They were staying at the same hotel and I got to party with him and Gilby Clark at the hotel bar for three nights. I told him Sweet Child O'Mine was my favorite GNR song and he told me he hated it. That was ten years ago, but I really don't think it ever grew on him based on my conversation with him.Melanie - Denver, Co

Slash is GodDan - Lake Hiawatha, Nj

I always felt GNR had amazing potential but was an overall disappointment, although I would never call them a bad band. I think sweet child of mine is one of the few great songs they made. As for greatest riff just off the top of my head I say Hendrix's Little Wing is better, as RHCP Under a Bridge and I go as far as Skynard's Sweet home Alabama.Jason - Everywhere, United States

This is probably my favorite Guns and Roses song...everything just seems perfect to me, Axl's vocals really express emotion, and Slash's guitar work is just amazing.Scott - Nyc, Ny

Guns and Roses was a very good band. Ash, you are wrong. I am not a HUGE HUGE GNR fan, but I enjoy their music. I must admit I'm a bigger Nirvana fan. Sorry G&R fans.Matt - Millbrae, Ca

I respect GNR for some of the things they did, especially Slash as a fellow guitarist. If you have me a choice between GNR and say most of teh crap they have out there I'd listen to GNR. BUt I do haed ot say they dont compare to Led Zeppelin. A lot of people like to compare the two. I dont atually like the comparison at all. I may be young, I wasnt alive when any of the stuff I listen to was being made, including GNR, but Id like to see any of you go against me in a debate about Rock.Ryan - Tucson, Az

sweet child o' mine, what an amazing song and it was written only 2 weeks before guns n' roses were assigned to geffen records in 1987!!! how cool are guns n' roses man they are the best band in the world, they were better with the origional line up i saw them in leeds england and the new line-up with bucket hesd is still very awsome, but there are too many people on the stage, the music sounds the same but they were better with slash and duff and izzy....Axl - La, Ca

everybody seems to know the riff in the beginning of this song. my band also plays this one and the guitar adlib is really amazing!!! whhhiiiiiihhh!!!!Noli - Manila, Other

This is my favorite Guns N' Roses song. Actually, it's my favorite song ever. Slash's solo is completely hot, and he's one of the only people who can use a wah pedal with enough grace to make me not hate him. Slash is amazing beyond reason! But why on earth would you call Guns N' Roses a glam-rock band? They were more about music than about image.Katie - Montreal, Canada

was one of the first singles by glam rock bands to hit the charts in the late 80s. followed by the likes of poison and warrantMarlow - Perth, Australia

this song holds fond memories for me. me and my band played it at a school talent contest along with Dont Cry. i played it just like the real thing, it was amazin.the title is tattoed under the name of my one year old daughter.Stevie - Edinburgh, Scotland, Scotland

this song is a classic - it annoys me though when people say they like / dislike GnR but when asked to name a song all the can say is sweet child o mine. GnR are so much more than that 1 song! -I've been a fan for about 10 years and I still find something new in theyre music whenever I listen. Its hard 2 imagine whats going to replace acts like GnR with all the manufactured rubbish thats out today. - - - --PS, ash, Charleston, WV - you seriously need to have a stern word with yourself.Adrian - Merthyr Tydfil, Al

comparing GnR with RCHP doesnt work as they're very differentSam - Sydney, Australia

guns n roses rule and they are the best rock band in the world i wish they stayed together.Troz Turner - United Kingdom, England

When I first got into Guns 'N' Roses a while ago, I didn't really like this song. In fact, the only song I really truly liked was Paradise City (which I still love). But I have listened to this lately and it really has grown on me. So much that I'm going to sing it for an audition for a my school's musical (of course going down an octive).Alec - Sewell, Nj

Zach, RHCP are older than GNR. So what do you mean you can't compare old music to new music? I'm just confused.Steve - Wallingford, Pa

Two of my favorite bands are Guns N' Roses and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Tom you are wrong for saying RHCP doesnt come close to GnR... they are both amazing, and neither is significantly better than the other. As for you Ash.... die!Elliot - Toronto, Canada

Awesome song...i used to listen to this when i was realy little so its always been in my head and i know that riff really good...I agree with brian about the shimmering light coming thru..thats a perfect description for me tooShana - Pembroke, Canada

John Frusciante and Slash were good friends and someone told me they came up with the Sweet Child riff together. That part in 'Mother's Milk' is a friendly joke that Frusciante is making.Elliot - Toronto, Canada

Hey, i got a chance to meet Slash at a VR show recently. He's the most amazing down to earth guy i've met. He never liked this song !!If anyone lives in the South East check out the GnR cover band Appetite for Destruction. They look, sound, act, and play just like the real thing !Savanah - Birmingham, Al

The poem was written on a pizza box, that's also an important part of the story.

Slash is probably the closest guitarist to Jimmy Paige we'll ever see, both played that grimey bluesy guitar perfectly! This is probably the most recognizable riff ever written, along side Shook Me All Night Long.

GNR would have been bigger then the Rolling Stones had Axl not lost his mind.Ted - Kingston, Canada

i like ACDC. Ive got a cover of GNR doing "whole lotta rosie" live. Its alright but they do there own stuff better.Ryan - Lancashire, England

ANYONE who says Guns N' Roses sucks either hasn't heard the entire Appetite For Destruction album, or has HORRIBLE taste in music. Alot of people probably only know the singles that they released. What they DON'T know, is that the singles released from the Use Your Illusion albums were mostly horrible choices for singles. What they also don't know, is that nearly every song on Appetite is just as good if not better than the three classic singles released from Appetite (everyone knows wut those three were). Thats my rant, and Im done.Tommy - Brooklyn, Ny

Jacoba in Australia: you are incorrect. Per Rolling Stone Magazine, Slash came up with the riff on his own. He was just fiddling around on the guitar and thought it was funny, but Axl wanted to use it.Ash - Charleston, Wv

Sheryl Crow covered this, and it ended up on the "40 Least Metal Moments."

p.s. Axl Rose was a jerk. He shot a pig in front of vegetarians!Claire - Oak Ridge, Tn

Josh, the idea of a great riff is that it sticks in your mind and is instantly recognisable in that people may never have heard a song (like 'Sweet Child O' Mine') but they would recognise the riff. I'm a Led Zep fan but @Since I've been loving you' is not a riff that really sticks in my mind. Zep riffs that do are 'Whole Lotta Love', 'Black Dog' and 'Heatbreaker'. 'Sweet Child O' Mine' has a better riff than any of these though because it's catchier. BUT, for truly great riffing, you can do no better than Angus Young of AC/DC. 'Back in Black', 'Highway to Hell', 'Hells Bells', 'Whole Lotta Rosie', 'Thunderstruck', 'You Shook Me All Night Long', 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheao' all are classic riffs and I honestly can not think of an AC/DC song with a bad riff!Tom - Trowbridge, England

This is easily one of the greatest songs ever and the riff is so fabulous!Samuel - London, England

Are you people serious? The best guitar riff is Jimmy Page's on "Since I've Been Loving You"Josh - Charlotte, Nc

Great song. But Civil War is even better.Laurence Crook - Cirencester, England

I never said GNR sucks because they were only around for a few years. I think GNR sucks because, well, they just suck. Axl has a horrible, grating, whiney voice (i.e. the song "Patience," which is a laugher) and they always came off to me as just another incarnation of the awful Motley Crue.Ash - Charleston, Wv

well, tom trowbridge, i think freebirds' solo is fair at best, sweet child's is good, but comfortably numb has the greatest 2 guitar solos of all time.Charlie - Thomaston, Dc

as said in Gutiar World magazine this song is Slash's shining momentRyan - Salt Lake City, Ut

The guitar was written by John Frusciante, guitarist for Red Hot Chili PeppersJacoba - Adelaide, Australia

I dont think its mint, rather its bubble gum!Caroline - Chatham, Nj

i agree,the guitar solo in this song is mint.well done slashLeigh - Stockton, England

although GNR has many good solos no solod is better thatn an angus young solo (AC/DC case your retarded)Gary - Hamilton, Australia

I think Paradise City has the best Guitar solo. Infact, I need to listen to it right now!Zed - Boston, Ma

no geoff that was you could be mine by guns n rosesDonal - Dungannon, Ireland

Who agrees with me that this has the greatest guitar solo of any song ever? I think Led Zeppelin's 'Achilles' Last Stand' and Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Free Bird' have excellent solos as well.Tom - Trowbridge, England

GnR sucks? What planet are you on Ash? I'm a fan of the Red Hot Chili Peppers as well but they're nothing compared to Guns N Roses! You may argue that the Chilis have been consistently popular for ages but that is no indicator of band's popularity. Led Zeppelin were only around for 12 years and Cream were only around for 3!Tom - Trowbridge, England

At one point, on the album "Mother's Milk" by the Chili Peppers, the music stops and the famous opening guitar motif is being played. Anyone know anything about this? It seems to be done very mockingly, which is just fine by me, 'cause the Chili Peppers rock, but GNR sucks!!Ash - Charleston, Wv

This was used in the Adam Sandler film 'Big Daddy' as was the Sheryl Crow version.Tom - Trowbridge, England

you could be mine by guns n roses was used in the terminater 2 movie ill be glad if the new gnr album chinese demoracay ever comes out even though axl rose is the only original member left they did a track back in 99 for the schwarznegger flick end of days which was a kick ass rock song and there live performance at the mtv awards show a few years back was cool even though it sounded like axl was straining his voiceJason - Wylie, Tx

One of the best songs of all time. It has everything; a catchy riff, lovely lyrics, an immortal guitar solo, the unforgettable chant of 'where do we go now?' and because it's a beautiful song that anyone can enjoy, no matter what kind of music you're in to.Tom - Trowbridge, England

Was this song used in Terminator Two, when John Connor is getting on his bike, leaving the video game shop? Shortly after Arnie whips out the gun hidden in the packet of roses?Geoff - Adelaide, Australia